Being fully alive to the difficult circumstances in which not only Malta but the whole world finds itself, we do not intend to make any glittering promises impossible of fulfilment. The D.A.P’s practical and realistic politicy will be to sseek the benefit of all classes of the population exerting its best endeavours from the very start to prepare the country by means of the encouragement of new industries to be ready to meet the situation which will arise when the Imperial contribution towards War Damage and Reconstruction will be nearing exhaustion.

The spectre of widespread unemployment after a period of relative prosperity must be avoided by an intelligent directorate, which the D.A.P. will provide.

With this end in view we submit to you, the electors, the following programme:

Even in non-Catholic countries it is generally recognized that the civil authority alone is incapable of checking the wave of crime and materialism which is overrunning so many countries without that spiritual help which alone can give a new orientation to the war demoralized youth.

We pledge the Democratic Action Party to fight all the strength at its disposal the infiltration of Communism within these islands.

At the same time the Democratic Action Party will uphold that there must be respect and observance of all the rights deriving from the compact between Malta and Great Britain.

Due emphasis will also be laid on Technical Education in order that Malta may turn an ever increasing number of skilled technicians. At the same time every effort will be made to reduce the number of adult illiterates.

The education given to prospective emigrants will be of the kind most suitable and useful to them on their arrival in the receiving countries. As far as possible, therefore, intending emigrants to a specified country shall be trained in a school satisfying the requirements of that country.

When shipping is secured the greatest help will at first be afforded to those intending emigrants who can satisfy the authorities in charge of emigration that their case deserves being given priority. This initial period, its is hoped, will be followed soon after by one of greater activity as the rate of absorption of migrants is increased in the countries of destination.

Wherever possible emigration to English-speaking countries will be encouraged. At the same time due attention is being given to the immense industrial strides made by certain South American countries, primarily the Argentine which have been described by the highest authorities as being equal to those made by the U.S.A after the first world war.

It will therefore be the duty of the Democratic Action Party to tap this source by obtaining the most accurate information available for our emigrants and preparing the way for their favourable reception in the countries selected by them.

The institution of a Senate is logically to be considered more useful in the early stages of Self-Government than after ten or more years having elapsed.

The Democratic Action Party will therefore continue to urge the Secretary of State to repeal the restrictions with regard to the initial ten years.

As already submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the Democratic Action Party is in favour of the existence of a Second Chamber with adequate powers of control over legislation other than that covering financial matters.

If finance depended merely on appropriate legislation there would be no financial difficulties in any country. The encouragement of such or similar views by our opponents must be deplored as tending to bring about a national disaster.

The fact that Malta is a country without natural resources must be faced and the policy of the Democratic Action Party must be shaped in the light of this undeniable fact. This Party therefore, while it does not consider any kind of taxation barred by reason of its nature, holds the view that all taxes necessary to meet the essential needs of the Government and the people whether direct or indirect must be levied on a scientific basis, and not by means of rash and imprudent measures which impoverish the country and pave the way to a future of acute want if not absolute destitution.

The present international financial situation with its inevitable repercussions on Malta has proved beyond doubt that the suspension of Food Subsidies by the Imperial Government was premature, and the Democratic Action Party will endeavour to secure their extension.

The sum arbitrarily fixed as the Imperial Government’s liability in respect of War Damage and Reconstruction has also been affected by the upward trend of prices of all articles of primary necessity. Even therefore, had the original allotment been adequate the present circumstances would have imposed the necessity of a revision.

It will therefore be our duty to approach the Secretary of State for the colonies with a view to an equitable solution of this matter, taking into consideration the substantial sums which are being locally spent from the War Damage and Reconstruction Fund in the interest of the Services, saving the British Government the provision of funds for this purpose.

For this purpose the Democratic Action Party will make it its duty to go minutely into all the various heads of expenditure in order to makes such economies as may be possible and, in particular, to eliminate such items of expenditure justified only as a war measure , which have been allowed to recur notwithstanding changed conditions.

In this connexion, however, it is not intended to stop the building of schools, as this would check progress in stamping out illiteracy. Nor would it be considered advisable to stop the building of hotels, as these owing to the shortage of houses, are indispensable to house visitors and tourists who are a source of revenue and employment for the Island. The Democratic Action Party will do its best to develop the tourist industry and means of transport to and from the Island.

The erection of new premises for the Royal University, for a National Theatre for Law Courts and for other public buildings shall be proceeded with as soon as possible as they are part of the necessary life of the community.

Water and Electricity, besides being absolutely necessary for the private individual, are also indispensable in connexion with new industries which it is intended to develop.

The Imperial Authorities are heavy consumers of water and it would therefore be to the mutual advantage of both sides of the Diarchy to share the capital expenditure involved. The Democratic Action Party feels confident that the Imperial Authorities will be prepared to accept this reasonable view.

This is deemed necessary as it is considered impossible to grant to Government employees connected with Services vital to the community the power to settle grievances, real or imaginary, by means of a strike.

It is therefore essential to give all categories of Government Civil Servants the assurance that they will be fully heard before questions affecting their vital interests are definitely decided upon by the Government.

Arbitration must be considered inseparable from Trade Unionism if clashes between different views and interests are to be avoided.

The Democratic Action Party also intends to enact a law whereby, until the present crisis and shortage of houses and shops is overcome, the rights of owners and tenants will be reconfirmed and reconciled to their mutual benefit:

From the foregoing you will have seen that we do not wish to dazzle you with the mirage of an uninterrupted period of prosperity or of a Socialist Utopia.

Our main concern will be to give you an honest and progressive Government which will bring Malta safely through the difficult post-war period which confronts us. The Democratic Action Party intends to tackle “first things first” in the interest of the community as a whole, and has in its ranks practical men to do their utmost to solve the existing problems.

The Democratic Action Party is against the Nationalization of Industries such as the Nationalization of means of transport, which has brought far richer countries to such sore straits.

The Democratic Action Party believes in private enterprise and the liberty of the individual to improve his or her position without interference from the State, compatibly with the maintenance of the sanctity of family life, and the well-being of the community as a whole.